The sound of slot machines won't be heard at Hiawatha Horse Park for a while yet.
Mayor Mike Bradley spoke with officials from the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Commission [OLG] earlier this week, and said they've indicated it's going to take more time than originally envisioned to get set up.
"We have to have a public consultation process to decide whether we will support the slots coming back to Hiawatha," said Bradley. "The group that's going to be operating it, Gateway, has to negotiate a deal with Hiawatha. There's numerous government approvals. So, I think being realistic, I really don't see from talking to OLG the slots being in place probably for another nine months to a year."
Bradley said renovations are also required before the 150 machines are installed.
Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey announced on October 25 that the slots would return to the London Line track.
He also said the Doug Ford government would be providing additional funding to continue horse racing.